Apparatus for restraining critical bending of a resilient sweeper element



March 1, 1966 J. D. HOLLEY 3,237,232

EsTRAI APPARATUS FOR R NING CRITICAL BENDING OF A RESILIENT SW ER ELEMENT Filed May 1964 INVENTOR.

United States Patent O 3,237,232 APPARATUS FOR RESTRAINING CRITICAL BENDING F A RESILIENT SWEEPER ELE- MENT John D. Holley, Montgomery, Ala., assigner to lKershavs1 Manufacturing Company, Inc., a corporation of Alabama Filed May 11, 1964, Ser. No. 366,537 3 Claims. (Cl. 15-159) This invent-ion relates to apparatus for restraining critical bending of a resilient sweeper element and more particularly to such apparatus which shall eliminate bending of a resilient, tube-like member at a critical point adjacent the holding means therefor.

An object of my invention is to provide apparatus for restraining critical bending of a resilient, tubeelike sweeper element which shall include an inner tube-like member which telescopes inwardly of the sweeper element and is secured rigidly to the holding means for the sweeper element whereby the innermost tube-like member is held in position to span the critical bend point of the sweeper element.

A further object of my invention is to provide apparatus for restraining cnitical bending of a resilient tube-like sweeper element which shall be extremely simple of construction, economical of manufacture and one which is particularly adapted for use on sweeper elements formed from used train air hose.

Heretofore in the art to which my invention relates, it has become quite popular in recent years for railroads to employ their used train air hose as sweeping elements for sweeping snow, ballast and debris from the track and yard areas of their property. One of the major problems encountered in the use of such train air hose for sweeping elements has been the proble-m concerned with the hose breaking at a critical bend point adjacent the holding means therefor. In accordance with the present invention, the bend life of the resilient, tube-like Asweeping element is extended more than ten times the bend life which was previously experienced with such sweeper elements.

Apparatus embodying features of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this application, in which:

FIG. l is a side elevational view showing a rotatable core which carries a plurality of radially extending sweeper elements;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmental view, partly broken away and in section, showing my improved means for restraining critical bend-ing of the sweeper element, together with the means for attaching the sweeper element to the rotatable core;

FIG. 3 is a fragmental sectional view, partly broken away and in section, showing the manner in which the sweeper ele-ment is bent where my invention is employed; and,

FIG. 4 is a fragmental view, partly broken away and in section, showing the manner in which a conventional type, tubellike sweeper element is bent Where my invention is not employed.

Referring now to the drawing for a better understand ing of my invention, I show a rotatable core 111 which may be carried by a suitable translatable frame. Where the sweeper elements are employed to sweep snow, ballast and debris from railroad tracks and yard areas, the rotatable core is mounted on a frame having flanged wheels which are adapted to ride upon the rails of a railroad track. As shown in FIG. l, a plurality of generally radially extending sweeper elements 11 are secured to the rotatable core 10 whereby upon rotation of the core,

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the sweeper elements are rotated to thus impart a sweeping action to a subjacent rail or other surface positioned therebeneath.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each flexible sweeper element 11 is in the form of a tube-like member, such as a rubber hose. Preferably, the sweeper elements 11 are formed from used train air hose. Secured to the rotatable core 10 in position to support the sweeper elements 11 are a plurality of radially extending nipples 12. Each nipple 12 is secured in place by suitable means, such as by welding and is of a size to extend inwardly of the adjacent end of the tube-like sweeper element 11 whereby the `sweeper element is secured firmly thereto. Preferably, annular projections 13 are provided on the nipple 12 in position to engage the inner surface of the tube-like sweeper element 11 to secure the sweeper element .firmly to the member 12. The outer surfaces of the annular projections 13 flare outwardly toward the rotatable core 11B to thereby prevent separation of the sweeper element from the nipple 12.

To restrain critical bending of the tube-like sweeper element 11 adjacent the outer end of the nipple 12, I provide an enlongated stiffener element 14 which telescopes inwardly of the tube-like sweeper element 11 in position to span the critical bend point of the sweeper element. Preferably, the element 14 extends approximately one-third the length of the sweeper element 11. The stiifener element 14 comprises an elongated, resilient tube-like member which lis of a size to telescope inwardly of the tube-like sweeper element 11 adjacent the outer end of the nipple 12. To hold the inner, tube-like member 14 in position to restrain critical bending of the sweeper element, a reduced diameter nipple 16 is secured to the outer end of the nipple 12. The nipple 16 is of a size to telescope inwardly of the adjacent end of the inner tube-like member 14. Also, annular projections 13EL are provided on the outer surface of the nipple 16 in position to engage the inner surface of the inner tube-like member 14 to thereby prevent separation of the inner tubelike member from the nipple 16. The nipple 16 may be formed integrally with the nipple 12 or the nipple 16 may be secured to the outer end of the nipple 12 by suitable means, such as by welding or the like.

In FIG. 3 of the drawing, I show the uniform manner in which the tube-like sweeper element 11 bends where my improved stiffener element 14 is employed. On the other hand, where my improved stiffener element is not employed to restrain critical bending of the tube-like sweeper element 11, the sweeper element tends to bend abruptly adjacent the outer end of the nipple 12, as shown in FIG. 4. Accordingly, where my invention is not employed, the tube-like sweeper element 11 continuously exes at a critical point adjacent the outer end of the nipple 12 whereupon the bend life of the sweeper element is shortened considerably.

From the foregoing description, the operation of my improved means for restraining critical bending of a resilient, tube-like sweeper element will be readily understood. The inner tube-like member 14 is secured to the reduced diameter nipple 116 by inserting an end of the inner tube-like member 14 over the reduced diameter nipple 16 whereupon the annular projections 13a engage the inner surface of the tube-like member 14 to thus secure the same firmly in place. An end of the ltube-like sweeper element 11 is then inserted over the inner tube-like member 14 and the nipple 12 whereupon the annular projections 13 carried by the nipple 12 engage the inner surface of the tube-like member 11 as described hereinabove. The tube-like sweeper element 11 is thus secured rmly to the nipple 12 while the inner tube-like member 14 is secured firmly to the reduced diameter nipple 16. Upon rotation of the rotatable core 10 the tube-like sweeper elements 11 bend in a uniform manner, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 whereby there is no abrupt flexing or bending of the sweeper element 11. adjacent the outer end of nipple 12.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that I have devised improved means for restraining critical bending of a resilient tubelike sweeper element adjacent the holding means therefor. By providing an elongated, resilient stiffener member inwardly of the tube-like sweeper element 11 which spans the critical bend point of the sweeper element, I eliminate entirely the continuous exing of the tube-like sweeper element at a critical point adjacent the holding means therefor.

While I have shown my invention in but one form, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are speoiiically set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In apparatus for restraining critical bending of a resilient tube-like sweeper element mounted adjacent one end thereof to a rotatable core,

(a) a first nipple member secured at one end to said rotatable core with the other end thereof extending inwardly of and secured to said one end of the sweeper element, to define a critical bend point on said sweeper element adjacent the outer end of said iirst nipple memlber,

(b) an inner resilient tube-like member of a size to telescope inwardly of said one end of the tube-like sweeper element and extend across the critical bend point of said sweeper element and a substantial distance beyond said critical bend point,

(c) a second nipple member extending inwardly of and .secured to said inner resilient tube-like member adjacent said one end of the sweeper element, and

(d) means connecting said second nipple member to said rst nipple member to hold said inner resilient tube-like member in position to span said critical bend point of said sweeper element and extend a substantial distance beyond said critical bend point.

2, In apparatus for restraining critical bending of a resilient tube-like sweeper element as defined in claim 1 in which the tube-like sweeper element and the inner tubelike member are rubber-'like hose.

3. In apparatus for restraining critical bending of a resilient tube-like sweeper element as defined in claim 1 in which the inner resilient tube-like member extends approximately one-third the length of said tube-like sweeper element.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,042,370 10/1912 Schwed 285--114 1,763,883 6/1930 Colvin et al. 3,015,121 1/1962 Ulrich.

FOREIGN PATENTS 20,007 1897 Great Britain. 29,614 1904 Great Britain.

CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN APPARATUS FOR RESTRAINING CRITICAL BENDING OF A RESILIENT TUBE-LIKE SWEEPER ELEMENT MOUNTED ADJACENT ONE END THEREOF TO A ROTATABLE CORE, (A) A FIRST NIPPLE MEMBER SECURED AT ONE END OF SAID ROTATABLE CORE WITH THE OTHER END THEREOF EXTENDING INWARDLY OF AND SECURED TO SAID ONE END OF THE SWEEPER ELEMENT, TO DEFINE A CRITICAL BEND POINT ON SAID SWEEPER ELEMENT ADJACENT THE OUTER END OF SAID FIRST NIPPLE MEMBER, (B) AN INNER RESILIENT TUBE-LIKE MEMBER OF A SIZE TO TELESCOPE INWARDLY OF SAID ONE END OF THE TUBE-LIKE SWEEPER ELEMENT AND EXTEND ACROSS THE CRITICAL BEND POINT OF SAID SWEEPER ELEMENT AND A SUBSTANTIAL DISTANCE BEYOND SAID CRITICAL BEND POINT, (C) A SECOND NIPPLE MEMBER EXTENDING INWARDLY OF AND SECURED TO SAID INNER RESILIENT TUBE-LIKE MEMBER ADJACENT SAID ONE END OF THE SWEEPER ELEMENT, TO (D) MEANS CONNECTING SAID SECOND NIPPLE MEMBER TO SAID FIRST NIPPLE MEMBER TO HOLD SAID INNER RESILIENT BEND POINT OF SAID SWEEPER ELEMENT AND EXTEND A SUBSTANTIAL DISTANCE BEYOND SAID CRITICAL BEND POINT. 